đŸ”— Share this article Great Britain's Wardley Halts Parker in Massive Heavyweight Shock Fabio Wardley kept his undefeated record, progressing to 20 successful bouts and one tied match Published: 26 October 2025 Comments: 106 Fabio Wardley pulled off a major upset to shatter Joseph Parker's hopes of earning a two-time world heavyweight champion on Saturday and positioned himself in position for a chance at perfect champion Oleksandr Usyk. Impressive Comeback Victory The UK fighter is now the top competitor for the Ukrainian after he claimed a impressive comeback victory by stopping the veteran New Zealander in the penultimate round of an thrilling and bruising battle at London's O2 Arena. Wardley, 30, won the WBO 'interim' title when he pressured referee Howard Foster to halt the bout as he overwhelmed ex world champion Parker, who had been seriously injured in the 10th by a right-handed uppercut. Emotional Celebration The Ipswich native brought the crowd to their feet and dropped to the floor in celebration as his support crew rushed into the ring to rejoice. They were excellent scenes as the ex white-collar boxer extended his extraordinary rise in the boxing world. Controversial Stoppage There was an debate that the intervention was untimely, especially given Parker had controlled for extended periods of the fight and hurt Wardley multiple occasions with straight rights. But the 33-year-old New Zealander gave little protest when Foster stepped in and his trainer Andy Lee did not look to protest as his man endured his fourth career defeat. Wardley's After-Match Comments "I said all the way through this preparation that we picked Joseph Parker because I think I'm at the top and I showed I'm at the top," commented Wardley. "All recognition to Joseph, he can't get enough esteem and he earns all the esteem from the boxing community. He accepted a chance when he didn't have to, and we understood he wasn't going anywhere quickly. We had to pick our spots and finally we got them out of there." Critical Moment It was a straight uppercut from Wardley in the 10th round which swung the bout firmly back in favour of the outsider. This was Wardley's twentieth professional win and his most important. Usyk now likely awaits early next year. Parker risked his ranking as the number one contender for Usyk's crown by undertaking this fight, falling to his fourth career defeat. Promoter's Positive Outlook Wardley's promoter Frank Warren informed DAZN: "Usyk stated he wants to do it, so that's what it will be. It's a half-hour fight and it only takes one second from him." Wardley's Remarkable Journey Continues Wardley viewed Parker's world title fight against Anthony Joshua in 2018 from a public house It was a top names of the British heavyweight division in the arena with Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois, Moses Itauma, Derek Chisora and Dillian Whyte among the onlookers. Usyk was not here, but he was the man this bout was all for. Wardley marched to the ring dressed in Ipswich Town colors with the football club's crest featured on his kit. Significant Career Progression He remarked in the preparation how it was extraordinary that when Parker was winning the WBO heavyweight title in 2016, he was only competing in white-collar boxing. Yet here he was on the identical platform as the seasoned Kiwi in a fight to determine the next challenger for Usyk, the best heavyweight of this period. Fight Description With Lee in his corner, Parker was on a red-hot run coming into this bout of six successful fights including wins over the likes of Zhilei Zhang, Deontay Wilder and Martin Bakole. As chants of 'Oh Fabio Wardley' echoed around the arena, Parker established control with a powerful of a jab that soon produced blood from the bridge of the Ipswich fighter's nose. The conclusion to the first three minutes was emphatic from the favourite as Parker charged through with a powerful of a right hand. Dramatic Momentum Shift Parker's control disappeared when a right hand from Wardley shook him in the second. It would be a forerunner to what would follow later in the fight. It was a beautiful shot and got those ringside to their feet as the New Zealander looked unsteady on his. The knowledge of Parker, in his fortieth pro fight, looked like it was going to be critical here. Wardley was always dangerous, but Parker was connecting the better shots through the intermediate rounds. Last Rounds and Victory The Kiwi's left uppercuts to the body and right hands over the top were a particular highlight, but Wardley's own backhand remained a risk. The fight seemed to be losing steam in the eighth before it exploded back into life and turned clearly back in Wardley's favor in the 10th. He made sure his amazing story would get another chapter against Usyk when he swarmed Parker in the 11th with a barrage of shots which compelled Foster to intervene. It may have been early but Wardley will claim that Parker was taking substantial punishment. Usyk Showdown - What Next for Wardley? Wardley has 19 knockouts in 20 bouts, having a 95% knockout rate Usyk sought a medical dispensation to delay his required defence of the WBO title because of a back injury, but his advisor Serge Lapin recently affirmed that the undefeated champion was ready to face the successful fighter of this bout. Warren will now look to organize that fight next year for his man. Fast Ascent to the Top With just twenty-one career fights on the back of no amateur background having emerged from the white-collar scene, Wardley is still inexperienced and his rise to this standing has been significantly fast tracked. But now he is in a place to challenge the finest heavyweight of this generation which is a Hollywood-like tale. Parker's Future Considerations Parker will now have to carefully consider his next step, given his age and how long he has been fighting at the elite level. He took a huge risk here and his prospects of reclaiming a portion of the world heavyweight crown have been diminished.